Keyboard Design For Mac
Apple hardware, historically speaking, is usually best-in-class. Whether we’re talking about iPhones or Macs, one of the longstanding benefits of purchasing Apple hardware is that it, to borrow a phrase from an old Apple marketing campaign, “just works.”
Unfortunately, the MacBook Pro redesign Apple introduced back in late 2016 is a glaring exception to this rule. The problem with that particular MacBook Pro refresh is that it incorporated a brand new butterfly keyboard design that proved to be problematic. While the new keyboard design was 40% thinner than a traditional keyboard, while also allowing for “greater precision” when striking keys, individual keys were prone to failure if even a speck of dust lodged itself underneath the keyboard.
Apple in 2018 seemingly fixed the issue for good with its 2018 MacBook Pro update. At the time, Apple touted an “improved third-generation keyboard for quieter typing.” A subsequent teardown of the new MacBook Pro revealed that the keyboard keys were nestled underneath a thin plastic-style membrane designed to prevent particles from sneaking in and wreaking havoc.
While the butterfly keyboard on the current MacBook Pro is far more reliable than the first incarnation, it hasn’t been a cure-all for all users. To this point, Joanna Stern of The Wall Street Journal writes that the E and R keys on her relatively brand new MacBook Pro simply stopped working.
Mechanical keyboards are the ideal choice for people who do a lot of typing on. Dolly Parton described love as “like a butterfly,” but that isn’t precisely the emotion Mac users have reported on use of the butterfly keyboard design Apple puts inside its notebooks.
The super-thin Taptek is a great, compact MacOS keyboard born from a successful.
Apple, somewhat surprisingly, acknowledged the problem and even went so far as to apologize for the ongoing issue in a statement provided to the Journal.
“We are aware that a small number of users are having issues with their third-generation butterfly keyboard and for that we are sorry,” an Apple spokesperson said. “The vast majority of Mac notebook customers are having a positive experience with the new keyboard.”
Nearly three years after the 2016 MacBook Pro refresh, it’s simply unfathomable that loyal Apple users who spend upwards of $2000 on a new machine still have to contend with this type of problem.
Apple has determined that a small percentage of the keyboards in certain MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models may exhibit one or more of the following behaviors:
- Letters or characters repeat unexpectedly
- Letters or characters do not appear
- Key(s) feel 'sticky' or do not respond in a consistent manner
Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will service eligible MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro keyboards, free of charge. The type of service will be determined after the keyboard is examined and may involve the replacement of one or more keys or the whole keyboard.
To identify your computer's model and to see if it is eligible for this program, choose Apple () menu > About This Mac. Eligible models are listed below.
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
- MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
- MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
Note: No other Mac notebook models are part of this program.
Please choose one of the options below for service. Your Mac notebook will be examined prior to any service to verify that it is eligible for this program.
The type of service will be determined after the keyboard is examined and may involve the replacement of one or more keys or the whole keyboard. The service turn-around time may vary depending upon the type of service and availability of replacement parts.
- Find an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
- Make an appointment at an Apple Retail Store.
- Mail in your device to the Apple Repair Center.
To prepare your unit for service, please backup your data.
Best Keyboards For Mac
Note: If your MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro has any damage which impairs the service, that issue will need to be repaired first. In some cases, there may be a cost associated with the repair.
This worldwide Apple program does not extend the standard warranty coverage of your Mac notebook.
Keyboard Design For Mac Computers
If you believe your Mac notebook was affected by this issue, and you paid to have your keyboard repaired, you can contact Apple about a refund.
Keyboards For Mac Mini
The program covers eligible MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models for 4 years after the first retail sale of the unit.